41-34947 Lady Luck

media-28445.jpeg UPL 28445 "Crew of the Martin B-26 Marauder 'Lady Luck' of the 554th Bomb Squadron, 386th Bomb Group pose by their plane at their base In Boxted Field, Essex, England On 4 January 1944." - B-26C serial 41-34947 'Lady Luck' (coded RU-K) of the 554th Bomb Sq, 386th BG.

Standing, from left: James Baxter, (CP); Emmett Curran, (P); Roy Stroud, (N/B).
Kneeling, from left: Robert Mixter, (E); John Lennon, (R); Robert Dall, (G).

Pilot is James A Baxter Sr. (top left)
here is another picture of the crew on a different day:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1695617196825&l=2d03baae27

Ground crew names on nosewheel door are Sgt Bob 'Shadow' Baron and Sgt Harry 'Wolf' Moore.

NARA Ref 342-FH-3A11149-69801AC.

www.fold3.com

Object Number - UPL 28445 - "Crew of the Martin B-26 Marauder 'Lady Luck' of the 554th Bomb Squadron, 386th Bomb Group pose by their plane at their base In Boxted Field, Essex,...

554BS, 386BG, 9AF "Lady Luck". Lost 10-Feb-44 when flak shell hit fuel tank of starboard wing, wing detached at nacelle and A/C tumbled on fire. France. 1 x POW, 5 x KIA. MACR 2082.



Assigned Crew:

Standing from left: James Baxter, (CP); Emmett Curran, (P); Roy Stroud, (N/B). Kneeling from left: Robert Mixter, (E); John Lennon, (R); Robert Dall, (G)



Regular Crew was on a two week leave when fill in crew was shot down.

Crew: Pilot 1Lt Robert B Spencer (O-521555), Co-Pilot F/O Dayton B Mitstifer (T-186567),

Bombardier 1Lt Arch A Dennen Jr (O-666009), Mech / Gunner S/Sgt Gerard G Bergeron - (36178693), Radio / Gunner T/Sgt Richard R Faith (13087676), Arm / Gunner S/Sgt John L Dorton (35285622).

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Units served with

Lieutenant James T. Wilson and Lieutenant Robert J. Owen of the 386th Bomb Group in the cockpit of their B-26 Marauder. Image stamped on reverse: 'Not to be published.' [stamp], 'Ministry of Information 19 Aug 1943.' [stamp] nand '279545.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'AT THE US MARAUDERS BASE. The B-26 Marauders, American super medium bombers are operating now from bases in Britain. This series of pictures shows various scenes at the airfield where the ground crew and the fliers work together

386th Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Ninth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

James A Baxter

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 386th Bomb Group
  • Highest Rank: Major

Gerard Gustave Bergeron

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 386th Bomb Group 554th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 36178693
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Engineer / Gunner

Emmett E Curran

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 386th Bomb Group
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Robert E Dall

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 386th Bomb Group
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant (3rd Grade)
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner

Arch A Dennen

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 386th Bomb Group 554th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18039100 / O-666009
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Crashed

East of berck sur mer, France 10 February 1944 Lost 10-Feb-44 when flak shell hit fuel tank of starboard wing, wing detached at nacelle and A/C tumbled on fire. France. 1 x POW, 5 x KIA. MACR 2082.

Manufactured

Middle River, MD, USA Built at Martin's.

Delivered

Joint Base Andrews, MD, USA Delivered to USAAF.

Assigned

Great Dunmow, Dunmow CM6, UK Transferred at 554BS, 386BG, 9AF.

Revisions

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

https://www.fold3.com/image/28714415

Date
ContributorBaxterco
Changes
Sources

updated crew info. From grandson of Co Pilot. James A Baxter

Date
ContributorBaxterco
Changes
Sources

corrected info from Brain Gibbons

Date
ContributorBaxterco
Changes
Sources

Updated with correct info

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

https://www.fold3.com/image/28714415

Date
ContributorTanks
Changes
Sources

AAM Photo

Date
ContributorTanks
Changes
Sources

AAM Photo

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

MACR 2082 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

41-34947: Gallery (3 items)

Staff Sergeant Robert E. Dall, a tail gunner of the 386th Bomb Group paints a message to the Germans on the tail of his B-26 Marauder (RU-K, serial number 41-34947) nicknamed "Lady Luck". Image stamped on reverse: 'Keystone Press.' [stamp], 'Not to be published.' [stamp], 'Ministry of Information 30 Spet 1943.' [stamp] and '285966.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'AMERICA'S RED DEVIL FLYERS. USP/2247-14. Just as pilot's like to name their ships, gunners like to flaunt "Jerry" with their wit, but

Object number: FRE 2234 - Staff Sergeant Robert E. Dall, a tail gunner of...

Object number: UPL 28445 - "Crew of the Martin B-26 Marauder 'Lady Luck' of...

Object number: UPL 28446 - "Crew of the Martin B-26 "Lady Luck" of the 554th...